MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. welcomed calls for a possible investigation into the government’s flood control projects following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
According to the Chief Executive, he has no problem with possible investigations but hoped people would understand that what the Philippines is facing is unprecedented.
“Go ahead,” Marcos said in an interview on Monday. “Oo, Sige! Wala akong problema. But also they have to realize there are two sides to this.”
“May flood control tayo, hindi kaya. Hindi talaga kaya dahil sa buong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas wala pang ganito, ngayon lang natin haharapin ito,” he added.
The Chief Executive also hoped people would also understand the science behind the recent weather events.
“Kaya dapat maunawaan talaga ng tao, hindi lamang yung budget, kun’di yung science. What’s the science, follow the science. See what’s happening,” he said.
“Hindi lamang dito. Nakita niyo ba yung nangyari sa Spain? Doon din sa mga lugar na yun ay ngayon lang nangyari ‘yan,” he added, referring to the recent massive flooding in Spain’s Valencia region that killed at least 217 people.
Marcos’ statement came after Sen. Imee Marcos demanded that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other relevant government agencies account for the P132-billion flood control projects for the Bicol region, one of the areas heavily hit by the storm.
President Marcos reiterated that the volume of rain that Typhoon Kristine brought was almost twice the volume that Typhoon Ondoy had in 2009, attributing this to climate change.
“Nagbago talaga ang panahon. Kaya yung climate change na aming pinag-uusapan ay talagang nakikita na natin. Unfortunately nararamdaman na talaga natin,””he said.
He added: “Hindi na natin kailangang basahin pa yung mga report o study ng mga sayantipiko. Alam na natin kung gaano kabigat ang magiging epekto ng climate change.”
President Marcos said he has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other agencies to revise their flood control master plans to boost infrastructure capacity to handle increasing flood risks.
The President further said the importance of modern, climate-resilient designs for roads and bridges, ensuring these structures are safe, durable, and adaptable to the changing climate./PN
